AKB48 Team Surprise – AKB Festival (Pachinko Version – #12) (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. AKBフェスティバル

DVD INFO: 16:9 LB, Region 2, Duration: 4:26

1. AKBフェスティバル Music Clip

To commemorate the release of the Pachinko AKB48 game machine and a tie-in with Pachinko company Kyoraku, 16 senbatsu members of AKB48 would form a special team known as “Team Surprise” and a total of 12 songs featured in the pachinko game will be released via a CD+DVD single each week beginning in September 2012.

The members to participate in this special project are (note: the lineup is before their fall 2012 lineup change):

Team A: Maeda Atsuko, Takahashi Minami, Takajo Aki, Shinoda Mariko, Kojima Haruna, Team K: Oshima Yuko, Itano Tomomi, Yokoyama Yui, Miyazawa Sae, Minegishi Minami; Team B: Watanabe Mayu, Kashiwagi Yuki, Kitahara Rie; Team 4: Shimazaki Haruka; SKE48 Team S: Matsui Rena and HKT48 Team H: Sashihara Rino

Each week from September through mid-November, a single plus its music video was released via a pachinko hall version (which can be won or sold at pachinko halls) and a web version, each featuring two different covers and will come with exclusive collectors cards for the pachinko hall and another for the web version. It’s important to note that because these releases are not sold in regular stores, the best way for those living outside of Japan to purchase these singles is through eBay.

Because the songs were planned and recorded before Atsuko Maeda’s graduation, Atsuko Maeda would be featured on several of the CD single releases.

And this is the case for the final twelfth AKB48 Team Surprise CD single for 2012 titled “AKB Festival”, is the final AKB48-related single to feature Atsuko Maeda and also a single to feature all 16 AKB Team Surprise members.

The version of “AKB Festival” that I am reviewing is the Pachinko Hall version and features images of the group members on an 8-page booklet featuring lyrics, production credits and liner notes from Ishigami. The back cover of the CD features two members: Rie Kitahara and Aki Takijo (note: by putting all 12 CD’s together, like a puzzle, you can see a complete image). Also, by visiting the official website for “AKB Festival”, you can get access to liner notes, gallery (a few photos are what is featured in the CD insert), wallpaper and poster.

“AKB Festival” is the concluding single of the AKB Team Surprise project and it is an upbeat, cheerful idol pop song that is promoting harmony and celebration.  The song brings up LGBT reference as well, to show that straight or gay, people should all come together at this AKB Festival and be happy.  For everyone to sing together loudly and how a person has been well-behaved but at the AKB Festival, you can be free.

As for the DVD, the music video features a color performance with dancers and musicians in the background sporting flower heads, while the AKB48 members walk through a runway in beautiful, colorful outfits. They all start danging and performing the song.  Overall, an upbeat music video that celebrates their fans who enjoy their music.

It’s important to note that this is a region 2 DVD and will not play on a region 1 player (unless you have a non-region DVD player) but can be played on a MAC or PC using free video playing software such as VLC or Daum PotPlayer.

Overall, the AKB48 Team Surprise CD singles may not be for everyone, primarily because there is only one song and one music video and they cost the same price of a regular single. But “AKB Festival” is an upbeat song that I’m sure AKB48 fans will purchase regardless and it’s also the final AKB48-related song to feature Atsuko Maeda.

“AKB Festival”, the twelfth AKB48 Team Surprise CD+DVD release is recommended for AKB48 fans!